Burning Man
Burning Man is no ordinary festival; it's a tribe, a transient metropolis, a cultural revolution on a global scale. Through my camera's lens, I've spent years capturing the fiery, ephemeral essence of this gathering. Burning Man has become deeply integrated with my craft, tattooed onto my identity as a photographer.
Burning Man, held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, forms a temporary metropolis annually, attracting artists, spiritual seekers, and wealthy participants to its decommodified economy. The event has grown significantly since its inception in 1986, when Larry Harvey and friends first burned a wooden effigy on Baker Beach. Originally a personal ritual, it has evolved into a global event, now capped at 75,000 attendees due to its popularity but also inspired a global movement.
Larry breathed his last on April 4, 2018, 70 years into his journey through life, laid low by a stroke. As the news hit us on the other side of our blue globe, we lit a fire for him at Afrikaburn, a night of sorrow, a night of tribute.
The Largest Art Gallery In The World
Burning Man isn't about the amount of money in your pocket. It's about the dust under your boots and the spirit in your gut. It's a social service smorgasbord, and it's 'universal,' whatever that means. It's the Playa, a patch of ground made level by the coming together of souls. The multitude of workshops, art pieces, and hand-crafted experiences offered during the week are all up for grabs for anyone with the courage to participate.
The art? Every year, a variety of artists add their unique touch to the growing canvas. Is Burning Man the world's boldest art endeavor emerging from the desert dust? Perhaps. And if it is, it's an incredible sight to behold, we are one live n’Dust.
The Circular Photo Exhibition
I am organizing a distinctive traveling photo exhibition that aims to showcase some of the most representative photographs from each "Burn" event around the globe, ultimately circling back to the United States. This project is designed to highlight the global network of these unique gatherings, demonstrating the shared values and diverse experiences that they offer.
The exhibition will commence with a collection of photographs from the renowned Burning Man, an annual event set in the expansive Black Rock Desert of Nevada. This will set the stage for a visual journey that takes viewers across continents and cultures.
Following Burning Man, the exhibit will feature AfrikaBurn, a festival that embodies the spirit of its American counterpart in the heart of South Africa's Tankwa Karoo National Park. This section aims to capture the unique African flavor of the event.
Next, the exhibition will present images from Midburn, Israel's interpretation of the Burn experience in the scenic Negev Desert. This segment is intended to showcase the vibrant community and artistic expressions that define Midburn.
The journey will then take us to Kiwiburn in New Zealand, a dynamic festival held 190 km from Wellington. Here, photographs will highlight the festival's unique setting and the enthusiastic participation of its attendees.
Moving to Asia, the exhibit will display snapshots from Burning Japan, set in the picturesque Yamanashi Prefecture. This part of the exhibition aims to depict the cultural nuances that make Burning Japan a distinctive event.
The final destination of the exhibition is Burning Seed in Australia, located in the serene White Hills, southeast of Launceston. This section will conclude the global tour, showcasing the Australian Burn's unique character and community spirit.
Through this exhibition, my goal is to forge a visual narrative that connects Burners from across the world, illustrating the universal ethos and the individuality of each event. The exhibition seeks to not only celebrate the global impact and reach of these gatherings but also to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of their cultural significance.
The Photo
We're preparing to create five oversized print collections (Burns), each with 20 pictures measuring 120cm by 280cm, for the Burning Man event. These will be displayed on a durable, modular exhibition stand. The prints, encased in Acrylic Glass with an Aluminum dibond backing, offer stunning image quality, sharpness, and lifelike visuals that rival reality, providing an immersive visual experience.
Architecture
Our future architect partners is embarking on an ambitious project to construct a transportable, modular photo stand on the Playa, specifically tailored for the unique environment of Burning Man events. The primary function of this stand is to exhibit a curated selection of photographs, chosen for their ability to capture the essence of these gatherings.
A key feature of our design is the integration of photovoltaic cells. These cells will serve a dual purpose: they will shield the large-format prints from the harsh desert sun while also harnessing solar energy to illuminate the photographs at night, creating an enchanting visual experience for viewers. It is designed for ease of assembly and disassembly, ensuring that the entire structure can be compactly packed into a standard 20-foot shipping container. Furthermore, this container will double as a storage unit for our essential equipment. In a transformative move, it will also serve as our base camp, offering shelter and a functional space for our team during the event.
To bring this vision to life, we are seeking to collaborate with a renowned architect or engineer. Our goal is to find a professional who can contribute not only to an innovative design solution but also ensure that the stand is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
In summary, this project is more than just a photo stand; it is a statement of our commitment to sustainability, creativity, and the spirit of Burning Man.